When, Where And How To See Jupiter At Its Biggest, Brightest And Best In 166 Years

Have you seen Jupiter rising? The giant planet—the largest in our Solar System—has been steadily brightening in our night sky, and rising ever earlier, over the last few months.

It comes to a head on September 26, 2022 as it reaches its annual “opposition,” the point in Earth’s orbit when we—on our much faster orbiting world—move into a position precisely between the Sun and Jupiter.

Since Jupiter takes 12 years to orbit the Sun, its opposition (as seen from Earth) occurs once every 13 months.

The effect is spellbinding and lasts for a few weeks.

As well as Jupiter appearing momentarily lit, with 100% of its disk observable to anyone with a pair of binoculars or a small telescope—the fifth planet from the Sun is perfectly positioned to be observed for long periods.

Another advantage of being at “opposition” is that an outer planet rises in the east at sunset and sets in the west at sunrise. It’s therefore “up” all night.

However, there’s something very special about Jupiter’s opposition in 2022.

It will be exactly 593.6 million kilometers from Earth at its moment of opposition, which is its closest approach to Earth since 1963 and until 2139, making this the “best” opposition in 166 years.

It will shine at a magnitude of -2.9, making it the brightest thing you can currently see in the post-sunset night sky apart from the Moon.

Jupiter’s opposition won’t go unnoticed. Any planet near to its opposition is visible close to the horizon in the early evening when many people are still outside. The result of that is that it gets noticed much more than when it’s high in the sky during the middle of the night.

But take a closer look. With any pair of binoculars or even a tiny telescope pointed at Jupiter you’ll see three or four of its large Galilean moons—Europa, Ganymede, Callisto and Io.

Look just above Jupiter and you’ll also see a diamond-shaped constellation of four bright stars known as the “Great Square of Pegasus,” an asterism (unofficial shape) within a larger constellation. Look far to the right and you’ll see Saturn, whose incredible ring pattern is visible through any small telescope.

Jupiter will be bright and beautiful for at least the next few weeks before rising earlier and earlier, and thus moving higher into the night sky. The giant planet will next come to opposition on November 3, 2023.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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